Author, Speaker, Tutor
IT’S GREAT!!!!!!
That’s pretty much it – except to say it takes a loooooong time. Or this one did. Lots of behind the scenes negotiation in which my agent, Sophie Hicks, more than earned her money. The skeleton deal was done four months ago, in November 2014. My first lot of edits have already gone back. Still, this felt like a significant milestone on my publishing journey Continue reading “What’s it like…Signing Contracts”
The post with the most hits on my website BY FAR is ‘Word Counts’. Clearly, we writers are a bit obsessed with counting them there words. . Funny that, how numbers occupy so much of our brains. I think three deep concerns are the drivers for this:
Given that’s it’s such an interesting topic, I thought I’d dust off that old post and update it a bit…. Continue reading “More Word Counts by Kathryn Evans”
What a fool I am – I thought I was breaking ground, talking to school librarians about what they really want from a school visit. Of course I wasn’t! Still, researching this post has kept Bad Shouty brain mostly in check this week – and I’ve learned stuff! Continue reading “What’s it Like….Planning School Visits”
So, I hit my first deadline and sent in my edits with a bowlful of relief and an email full of questions. I loved the feeling that this was a collaboration in a way, a director and an actor working together – my performance but with the hand of my editor firmly on my shoulder. It felt great to send something off and not immediately start biting my nails, waiting for the inevitable rejection.
Ha. So much for that. Old habits die hard. Sarah was called away to a more urgent project, my edits would have to wait a little while.
‘BECAUSE IT’S RUBBISH,’ screamed my Bad Shouty Brain. Continue reading “What’s it like….Waiting to get your First Edits Back or How to Calm Your Bad Shouty Brain.”
I remember the many questions I had, but didn’t like to ask, when friends got their first deals. I thought I might start a series of posts about the process of getting a debut novel from acceptance to the book shelf. Feel free to ask questions and I’ll do my best to answer. Continue reading “What’s it like: working with an editor for the first time?”
Most of us suffer with procrastinitis. In fact, I’d hazard a guess that you’re reading this blog for precisely that reason. Maybe you need to trick yourself into writing. Here’s my top tricks : Continue reading “Eight Ways to Tricks Yourself into Writing”
As regular readers know I’ve been slightly distracted by farm business in the shape of Strawberry Fox. Writing has slid to the back of my desk. Or it had, until things conspired to give me a kick and get me back to my Work In Progress.
First was the arrival of Vivienne DaCosta at our Chichester SCBWI group. I’ve never met a more vibrant enthusiast for children’s books – many of you will know her from Serendipity Reviews. Vivienne reads like no-one I know – she is teeming with book knowledge and she was excited by my new book. ‘ Write it, I want to read it!’ Vivienne DaCosta was excited by my idea! Continue reading “A Little Inspiration.”
1. Comradeship with other UW’s
2. No deadlines except the ones you set yourself.
3. Ability to write whatever you like.
4. Intact golden dream of life after publication.
5. Urm….
Please add more, I need cheering up…
I love the satisfying structure of circular stories.
Wuthering Heights was my favourite book for years. Catherine and Hareton coming together at the end turns the book into one of hope. Out of all that ugliness, all that sorrow, come two people capable of kindness, strength, love.
J K Rowling does a similar thing in Harry Potter. I know some people don’t like the end – the happy ever after – but I do. Not the marriages, but how the orphaned Ted Lupin isn’t shoved in a cupboard like Harry was. Ted is surrounded by loving families and treasured. Hope out of sorrow. Continue reading “Stephen King, Back to Haunt Me.”
‘Where do you get your ideas from?’ Asks Everyman.
Mwah ha ha, we jest hilariously, ‘The Idea’s Shop.’
Idea’s Shop! Ha. What a ridiculous idea.
Kathryn Evans 